Thursday, May 29, 2008

"A Voice In The Wind" Book Review and Giveaway!



It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!




Today's Wild Card author is:


and her book:


A Voice in the Wind

Tyndale House Publishers (March 1, 1998)(Re-released June 2008)



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Francine Rivers began her literary career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Journalism. From 1976 to 1985, she had a successful writing career in the general market and her books were awarded or nominated for numerous awards and prizes. Although raised in a religious home, Francine did not truly encounter Christ until later in life, when she was already a wife, mother of three, and an established romance novelist. Shortly after becoming a born-again Christian in 1986, Francine wrote Redeeming Love as her statement of faith. First published by Bantam Books, and then re-released by Multnomah Publishers in the mid- 1990s, this retelling of the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea set during the time of the California Gold Rush is now considered by many to be a classic work of Christian fiction. Redeeming Love continues to be one of the Christian Booksellers Association’s top-selling titles and it has held a spot on the Christian bestseller list for nearly a decade.

Since Redeeming Love, Francine has published numerous novels with Christian themes – all bestsellers-- and she has continued to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her Christian novels have been awarded or nominated for numerous awards including the Rita Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, and the Holt Medallion in Honor of Outstanding Literary Talent. In 1997, after winning her third Rita award for Inspirational Fiction, Francine was inducted into the Romance Writers’ of America Hall of Fame. Francine’s novels have been translated into over twenty different languages and she enjoys best-seller status in many foreign countries including Germany, The Netherlands, and South Africa.

Francine and her husband Rick live in Northern California and enjoy the time spent with their three grown children and every opportunity to spoil their four grandchildren. She uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord, and that through her work she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is doing in her life.


Visit her at her website.

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


The first chapter is really long, but a great set-up for the book and you can click on the WildCard logo at the top of the post to read it there, I decided to give you my review here instead. I had always wanted to read this series, but hadn't taken the time so when this one was offered to review I knew I wanted to do it. I am very glad I did. It is a long book, but I managed to read it in 2 days, I was working hard to make sure I was done in time to review it and I finished it about 20 minutes ago. I had to stop crying long enough to be able to see the computer screen though...

MY REVIEW:
I have read some of Francine River's work before and have been impressed by how her writing has a way of pulling you into the world she creates. Some of the books I've read include "Redeeming Love", "A Scarlet Thread" and "And The Shofar Blew" - they are all unique, stand alone books that deal with very different issues and situations. "A Voice In The Wind" is a very different setting, situation and time period than any of those books though. Francine takes us into Rome as Jerusalem has been destroyed and shows us life through the eyes of Hadassah, a young Jewess / Christian slave girl whose family was killed during the destruction of the city. We follow the family she is eventually led to serve and the effect she has on them and the world around them in that time. We meet Atretes, a German warrior who is captured and sold into becoming a gladiator and we see how his life crosses with Hadassah as well. I was enthralled yet again by Francine's gift of storytelling and am looking forward to reading the next two books in this series. I won't say why I bawled through the end of the book, but I will say that this book was an eye opener into a time and place that we don't think about.

I will be doing a drawing for a copy of this newly released edition of "A Voice In The Wind" so leave a comment with an email address telling me why you would like to read Francine's book or what your favorite Francine River's book is and I will enter you in the drawing - good luck!

19 comments:

Lora Lease said...

This series is one of my absolute favorites!! I don't own the books myself, but have had them on my wish list for quite some time now. Please enter me in the drawing. :)
Lora

Toystory said...

I haven't read on of her books yet, but this one seems like it might be the perfect beginning to "change that".... :0)

Carole said...

Your review is what makes me want to read this particular book, Janna! I've read and enjoyed her Lineage of Grace and Sons of Encouragement series. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Carolynn said...

The 'Mark of the Lion' series is my all-time favorite series. I read it over and over again and I love it more everytime. I don't own it though but I would love to! Thank you so much for the chance to win!
carolynnwald at hotmail dot com

Daniela6968 said...

I have never read one of her books. I would like to change that! Thanks for giving me the chance!

Susan Stitch said...

The only book I've read so far is Redeeming Love...and it was (is) one of those books you never forget! I've since put the rest of her books on my to read list, and I'd love to start with this one. I like historical fiction that is based on truth, and Francine has a great way of making you believe you are there. Thanks for sharing it!
likes_to_stamp(at)sbcglobal.net

Kari said...

I've never read one of her books so thank you for a chance to do that!!

Anonymous said...

I, too, really enjoyed Redeeming Love. Sin Eater is another one of her books which is also enthralling.

Pamela J said...

I hadn't been reading books very long when I had the opportunity to read Scarlet Thread. It was an excellent book and every time I hear Francine Rivers' name I think of that book. I have always wanted to read more of her books and look forward to someday. I'd love to win this book, please enter me in your drawing.
Pam
cepjwms at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

as i have not read any of her books a yet, I suppose that is good reason to enter, so that I get to know her via this book. Do enter me.

gautami dot tripathy at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I highly recommend this book, but you have to read the 2nd book in the trilogy to complete Hadassah's story. the third book is the rest of Atretes story. I read all 3 in a week (they are huge books, but hard to put down). there is so much history in them; she must of done a lot of research!

Patty said...

I love Francine Rivers novels. My favorite was Leota's Garden. I would love to read this new book by her. It sounds really good.

pleblanc_1 at charter dot net

hippmom said...

I have yet to read anythign from this author but I love books that bring you to tears. It has to be good if it can tug at the emotions. THanks for entering my name.

luv2read said...

I would like to read this book because it is by Francine Rivers and anything she writes is good. So far her favorite of mine is Redeeming Love. I love her books because they make you want to know the Bible more. spowell01(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Anonymous said...

Ooh, sign me up! I would love to read this one! You can find me at writer(underscore)weaver(at)yahoo (dot) com.

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Redeeming love was such a touching book for me to read and I also read and loved the Scarlet Thread. I am trying to collect this series since I have never read them.
anx5(underscore)family(at)yahoo(dot)com
thanks so much
angel

ChristyJan said...

I haven't read any of Francine's books yet ~ I'd love to win a copy of A VOICE IN THE WIND ~ it sounds wonderful.
hawkes(at)citlink.net

Anonymous said...

Ohhh...I've heard so much about this series! I'd love to have a chance to win it.

pluumeria (at) cox (dot) net

Janna said...

And the winner is...

gautami tripathy!

Congrats!